7 Ways to Create a Gorgeous Outdoor Room
Revel in the sights and scents of spring on a patio or in a garden corner decked out in comfy interior style
It's spring! Long days, sunshine, birds, barbecues, flowers! For the next six months or so, it's outside time (sorry, people in the Northeast; your time will come). Which means, of course, that you should have an outdoor room, a place where you can do all the things you do in winter — entertain, read, eat, relax — under the big, blue sky.
We're not talking a giant pavilion with a built-in fireplace. Although if you can make that happen, please do. We're talking a snug and stylish corner with the comforts of home.
Depending on where you live, you will have different considerations. Some will have to think about rain; others will need a source of shade or cooling. Some will have to take the bugs into account; others, the neighbors. Where I live on the Northern California coast, our outdoor summer rooms include heaters.
But whatever the specifics, every room should include a few basics:
We're not talking a giant pavilion with a built-in fireplace. Although if you can make that happen, please do. We're talking a snug and stylish corner with the comforts of home.
Depending on where you live, you will have different considerations. Some will have to think about rain; others will need a source of shade or cooling. Some will have to take the bugs into account; others, the neighbors. Where I live on the Northern California coast, our outdoor summer rooms include heaters.
But whatever the specifics, every room should include a few basics:
- Comfy furniture. No one wants to perch on a hard wooden chair all afternoon.
- Rugs. They delineate the space and feel good underfoot.
- Decoration. Art, potted plants, sculpture, lanterns. This is a room; decorate it.
This corner room benefits from built-in benches and a simple wooden screen roof.
2. Paint Walls
A little wedge of patio becomes an outdoor room when the wall is painted and the space is given the same consideration you'd give an indoor room.
A little wedge of patio becomes an outdoor room when the wall is painted and the space is given the same consideration you'd give an indoor room.
3. Decorate
The sunburst mirror on the brick wall makes this outdoor dining area feel like a real room.
The sunburst mirror on the brick wall makes this outdoor dining area feel like a real room.
These hanging lanterns look festive and help create a sense of a room in this mostly open area.
4. Make a Wall
If you don't have an enclosed space, create one with a screen, a curtain or a row of plants.
If you don't have an enclosed space, create one with a screen, a curtain or a row of plants.
This outdoor getaway is separated and enclosed by an inexpensive bamboo screen.
5. Use Real Furniture
As long as you don't live in a place with severe summer weather, go ahead and use indoor furniture outside. A coat of exterior paint can give a thrift store coffee table new life and new strength.
As long as you don't live in a place with severe summer weather, go ahead and use indoor furniture outside. A coat of exterior paint can give a thrift store coffee table new life and new strength.
6. Lay a Rug
Imagine this outdoor dining room without the rug. It would be just another picnic table.
Imagine this outdoor dining room without the rug. It would be just another picnic table.
7. A Porch Will Do
A porch can be more than a place for a rocker or two; with the right ingredients (rug, sofa, curtains), it can become a room.
A porch can be more than a place for a rocker or two; with the right ingredients (rug, sofa, curtains), it can become a room.
Helios Outdoor Chair, Arctic White
Favorite Picks for the Perfect Outdoor Room
It's not only gorgeous and comfortable and indestructible, it's heated. You will still be sitting in this baby come November.
It's not only gorgeous and comfortable and indestructible, it's heated. You will still be sitting in this baby come November.
Solvinden Solar-Powered Light Chain
Solar bird lights to place all over the yard — no plug necessary.
Adding the comfy furniture and the rug and the details has transformed this rather plain corner into a killer outdoor living room.